Umbrella structure

ABSTRACT

An umbrella has a first resilient member provided between one inner rib and one outer support and a second resilient member received in the second linkage and secured to the secondary panel via a strip so that the operation of the secondary panel is limited.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an umbrella structure, and more particularly, to the improved design of the panel of the umbrella. The special design of the double panel of the umbrella of the present invention can efficiently save panel materials and provide ventilation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An umbrella is used to shield sunshine by means of a panel attached to a frame, wherein, the frame consists of a plurality of movable ribs pivotally connected to a shaft. The panel covers the frame and shields the sunshine when the umbrella is opened.

[0003] Although the umbrella can shield the sunshine, the panel of the conventional umbrella is made of single layer of light cloth. In blocking the sunlight, the umbrella has bad ventilation which may make a user feel stuffy. Therefore, there are two types of combined panel umbrella on the market which can improve ventilation. The structure shown in FIG. 4 is one type of umbrella on the market. A conventional umbrella structure includes a panel comprising a main panel and a secondary panel, wherein the main panel has a plurality of openings spaced between the ribs. The secondary panel is smaller than the fully opened main panel and concentrically covered on the main panel. When the main panel and secondary panel are covered and secured on the ribs of the shaft, the openings of the main panel is covered by the secondary panel on the outer side thereof. With the above combined structure, when the umbrella is opened, air can flow into the space between the outer edge of the secondary panel and the main panel and then into the umbrella through openings of the main panel, therefore, air ventilation is improved.

[0004] Another conventional umbrella on the market has a panel composing a main panel and a secondary panel, wherein the main panel matches the fully opened ribs and has a circular gauze therein. The secondary panel is smaller than the fully opened main panel. When assembled, the secondary panel and the main panel are concentrically covered on the ribs of a shaft, and the gauze is covered with the secondary panel on the outer side thereof. When the umbrella is opened, air can flow into the space between the outer edge of the secondary panel and the main panel and then into the umbrella through the gauze of the main panel. Therefore, air ventilation is improved.

[0005] Although the two types of umbrellas have improved air ventilation, there are several drawbacks described in the following:

[0006] 1. Bad air ventilation efficiency:

[0007] The main and sub panels of the two said types of umbrellas are concentrically superposed and mounted on the frame of the umbrellas. When the umbrellas are opened, the main and sub panels are expanded fully and the outer edge of the secondary panel is nearly in contact with the surface of the main panel. Therefore, the space between the main and sub panels is so small that air can not flow into the umbrella freely, and air ventilation and convection is bad.

[0008] 2. Wastes materials:

[0009] In the combined structure of panels as described above, the full areas of the main and sub panels are large. This design wastes much material and adds to the cost of production.

[0010] 3. Increases manufacturing difficulty:

[0011] In the structure of panels described above, the full areas of main and sub panels are large, and there are a plurality of openings and gauze with many holes. The design increases manufacturing difficulty, moreover, cost of the production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved umbrella structure which can improve air convection efficiency.

[0013] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1A is a side plan view of the structure of the umbrella of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 1B is an enlarged side plan view showing the location of the resilient member inside the umbrella structure;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the umbrella structure when opened;

[0017]FIG. 3A is a schematic side plan view showing the operation of the umbrella structure of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3B is an enlarged side plan view showing the relative locations of the main panel and the secondary panel;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the fully expanded umbrella of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of one support of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the resilient member; and

[0022]FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the relationship between the fully expanded secondary panel and the main panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an umbrella of the present invention comprises a frame and a combined panel, wherein the frame is composed of a shaft 1 conjugated with a head 11, a runner 12 movably mounted on the shaft 1, multiple inner ribs 2 each having a support 3 pivotally connected between the runner 12 and the inner rib 2, multiple first linkages 4 each pivotally connected to one of the supports 3 via a first pin 31, multiple second linkages 40 each pivotally connected to one of the first linkages 4 via a second pin 402 and outer supports 20 each pivotally connected to one of the second linkages 40 via a third pin 201. A first resilient member 5 is provided between one inner rib 2 and one outer support 20. As shown especially in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, a limiting plate 401 is mounted on each of the second linkages 40. A distal end of a second resilient member 6 is provided with a slit 61 defined to receive the limiting plate 401 therein, a hook 611 formed on a distal edge of the slit 61 and an ear 62. With such an arrangement, when the limiting plate 401 is received in the slit 61, the limiting plate 401 is able to be retained by the hook 611 to avoid separation between the limiting plate 401 and the slit 61. A strip 9 is then fixed to the ear 62. Therefore, when the runner 12 is moved along the shaft 1, the inner ribs 2, the supports 3, the first linkages 4, the second linkages 40 and the outer supports 20 are able to expand to form the skeleton of an umbrella or extracted for storage.

[0024] A main panel 7 is applied to cover the inner ribs 2, the first resilient members 5 and outer supports 20 and has an opening 70. The peripheral edge of the opening 70 is fixed to the outer supports 20. A secondary panel 8 is applied and has an area larger than that of the opening 70 so that the secondary panel 8 is able to cover the opening 70 of the main panel 7. The inner face close to the center of the secondary panel 8 is fixed to the inner ribs 2 and the outer peripheral edge of the secondary panel 8 is fixed to the second resilient member 6. Then, the free end of the strip 9 is fixed to the peripheral edge of the secondary panel 8 between two adjacent outer supports 20.

[0025] When the foregoing structure is assembled, the secondary panel 8 is able to cover the opening 70 of the main panel 7. Furthermore, due to the secondary resilient member 6 being securely engaged to the outer peripheral edge of the secondary panel 8, the main panel 7 together with the secondary panel 8 is able to prevent rain from going into the umbrella from the opening 70.

[0026] When wind blows under the main panel 7 and the secondary panel 8 and the strength of the wind overcomes the strength of the resilience of the second resilient member 6, the outer peripheral edge of the secondary panel 8 overturns as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 so that the wind is able to pass through the gap between the main panel 7 and the secondary panel 8. Moreover, because the peripheral edge of the secondary panel 8 is limited by the strip 9, the extent of the overturn of the secondary panel 8 is limited. Therefore, when the strength of the wind decreases, the secondary panel 8 is able to return to its original shape with the assistance of the resilience from the second resilient member 6.

[0027] From the description above, it is apparent that the present invention has several advantages such as good air convection efficiency, saving material and simple manufacturing procedure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An umbrella structure comprising: a shaft conjugated with a head; a runner movably mounted on the shaft; multiple inner ribs each having a support pivotally connected between the runner and the inner rib; multiple first linkages each pivotally connected to one of the supports via a first pin; multiple second linkages each pivotally connected to one of the first linkages via a second pin; outer supports each pivotally connected to one of the second linkages via a third pin; a first resilient member provided between one inner rib and one outer support; a limiting plate is mounted on each of the second linkages; multiple second resilient members each securely engaged with a corresponding one of the second linkages; a main panel applied to cover the inner ribs, the first resilient members and outer supports and having an opening; a secondary panel, wherein an inner face close to a center of the secondary panel is fixed to the inner ribs and an outer peripheral edge of the secondary panel is fixed to the second resilient member, the secondary panel has an area larger than that of the opening so that the secondary panel is able to cover the opening of the main panel.
 2. The umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the opening is fixed to the outer supports.
 3. The umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ear is formed on the second resilient member to securely engage with one distal end of a strip and the other distal end of the strip is fixed to the peripheral edge of the secondary panel between two adjacent outer supports to limit operation of the second panel.
 4. The umbrella as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second resilient member has a slit and a hook formed on a peripheral edge of the slit, wherein the second linkage has a limiting plate received in the slit and is retained by the hook which engages a peripheral edge of the limiting edge to secure engagement between the second linkage and the second resilient member. 